I have been back at work (from maternity leave) since 3 January 2010; that is a total of 8 months.
My baby is now no longer a baby but not yet a little person. She is exactly 17 days shy of turning 1.
Where has the time gone?
Story of our simple lives - of our family, of our beautiful children, Kate & Jake
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Three times lucky
For the first 10 months of her life, Kate woke up one to three times each night for feeds. I was breastfeeding her then, so while it was tiring, I'd gotten into a familiar routine of feeding her in bed, both of us half asleep.
I remember the husband and I talking about her sleep pattern, and discussing (pining) when she will start sleeping through the night. There was no answer then, because obviously this was something we had absolutely no control over.
I know of mothers who have strict routines, who follow parenting books and achieve amazing clockwork schedules with their kids. Uh, let's just say we're not those types. I mean, I was hell stressed in the initial periods of motherhood where I tried to follow these schedules; but when I did not succeed and the stress was too much to bear (these self-imposing standards, I tell you...) I quite simply gave up. And just went with the flow.
With the husband who is a major type L for lalala (read, anything goes - I made this up, btw in case anyone's trying to decipher which personality type this belongs to), who does not like planning, it works out well. I pretty much have become a lot less planning and alot more lalala since I've become his wife, and even more so after becoming her mother.
I think it's me shifting into survival mode - because there is only that much a person can cope and deal with.
So anyway, going laissez-faire works pretty well in our household. And Kate's doing great! Even if she wakes up in the night.
But, ladies and gentlemen, that seems to be no more.
Since we introduced formula milk to her a month ago, she has slowly evolved into waking up only once in the night for feed. And for the past THREE nights, Kate's woken up whiney and pretty much rolls back to sleep after we feed her the pacifier.
I'm stoked!
Now let's hope this sticks.
I remember the husband and I talking about her sleep pattern, and discussing (pining) when she will start sleeping through the night. There was no answer then, because obviously this was something we had absolutely no control over.
I know of mothers who have strict routines, who follow parenting books and achieve amazing clockwork schedules with their kids. Uh, let's just say we're not those types. I mean, I was hell stressed in the initial periods of motherhood where I tried to follow these schedules; but when I did not succeed and the stress was too much to bear (these self-imposing standards, I tell you...) I quite simply gave up. And just went with the flow.
With the husband who is a major type L for lalala (read, anything goes - I made this up, btw in case anyone's trying to decipher which personality type this belongs to), who does not like planning, it works out well. I pretty much have become a lot less planning and alot more lalala since I've become his wife, and even more so after becoming her mother.
I think it's me shifting into survival mode - because there is only that much a person can cope and deal with.
So anyway, going laissez-faire works pretty well in our household. And Kate's doing great! Even if she wakes up in the night.
But, ladies and gentlemen, that seems to be no more.
Since we introduced formula milk to her a month ago, she has slowly evolved into waking up only once in the night for feed. And for the past THREE nights, Kate's woken up whiney and pretty much rolls back to sleep after we feed her the pacifier.
I'm stoked!
Now let's hope this sticks.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thankful for you
I just heard a piece of sad news; a friend's partner passed away suddenly last week. My heart goes out to him and I wish him well.
My heart's really heavy now and I hope that you can take a moment to think about all your loved ones and be thankful for them.
To my family and my friends, I love you.
Special call out to my husband, and my baby, I love you.
My heart's really heavy now and I hope that you can take a moment to think about all your loved ones and be thankful for them.
To my family and my friends, I love you.
Special call out to my husband, and my baby, I love you.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Baby pincers
Kate is a pincher.
Because she is a little person, anything she does seems cute. And when she pinches, it is a little bearable. But when it's become this often and seemingly necessary, it's becoming a real pain.
She does this in a different ways - when we carry her; or when she goes to sleep.
The poor MIL has bruises along both her arms inflicted by Kate.
I'm also been on the receiving end and it's especially bad for me at night time, when she's about to go to sleep and insists on pinching, kneading those tiny fingers of hers like pincers against skin (mostly mine; unfortunately for me, she seems to prefer me to the husband).
Some babies have their smelly pillows, some need the pacifier.
After we managed to kick her habit of suckling (me) to sleep, we now have another problem.
Because she is a little person, anything she does seems cute. And when she pinches, it is a little bearable. But when it's become this often and seemingly necessary, it's becoming a real pain.
She does this in a different ways - when we carry her; or when she goes to sleep.
The poor MIL has bruises along both her arms inflicted by Kate.
I'm also been on the receiving end and it's especially bad for me at night time, when she's about to go to sleep and insists on pinching, kneading those tiny fingers of hers like pincers against skin (mostly mine; unfortunately for me, she seems to prefer me to the husband).
Some babies have their smelly pillows, some need the pacifier.
After we managed to kick her habit of suckling (me) to sleep, we now have another problem.
Really gotta do something about this - it's becoming painful
Mini bruises from mini pincers
Midnight love
The husband went away for work since Saturday so Kate hasn't seen her papa for two days.
Last night, she'd woken up for a feed at about 1.30am and while she was rolling about trying to settle back to sleep, the door opened and it was papa! (Even I was surprised because he was supposed to come back only tonight)
It was the sweetest sight seeing her respond with such uninhibited happiness!
The pacifier fell out from her mouth as she opened it wide with a huge smile, her arms waved frantically and she called out "PAPA"!
The fun, however, lasted only for short moments, because she was so excited she couldn't fall asleep after that. She rolled and pinched and was in a semi-state of sleepiness/play; and she didn't fall asleep until after 3.30am.
Zzzzz.
Last night, she'd woken up for a feed at about 1.30am and while she was rolling about trying to settle back to sleep, the door opened and it was papa! (Even I was surprised because he was supposed to come back only tonight)
It was the sweetest sight seeing her respond with such uninhibited happiness!
The pacifier fell out from her mouth as she opened it wide with a huge smile, her arms waved frantically and she called out "PAPA"!
The fun, however, lasted only for short moments, because she was so excited she couldn't fall asleep after that. She rolled and pinched and was in a semi-state of sleepiness/play; and she didn't fall asleep until after 3.30am.
Zzzzz.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sweet treat
The husband brought Kate to the doc's for a follow-up check up today. We're very happy that she's been declared wheeze-free - yay! The neubalising process has been rough and it is great that we're rid of this undesirable exercise.
So after this positive check-up, the husband brought Kate to meet me for lunch.
It was a totally enjoyable session, and it was doubly sweet that I got to show Kate off to my colleagues. She was a joy and a hit with everyone - she gurgled, and flashed her toothy grin at everyone.
I'm a proud mother.
Much thanks to the husband for making the trip to me with our precious. Definitely made my day!
So after this positive check-up, the husband brought Kate to meet me for lunch.
It was a totally enjoyable session, and it was doubly sweet that I got to show Kate off to my colleagues. She was a joy and a hit with everyone - she gurgled, and flashed her toothy grin at everyone.
I'm a proud mother.
Much thanks to the husband for making the trip to me with our precious. Definitely made my day!
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